Maria Island Walk

Maria Island, Tasmania, Australia

Maria Island is a delightful blend of rare wildlife, convict heritage, and elegant accommodation. On the multi-award winning Maria Island Walk, you’ll enjoy gentle walking by day and candlelit gourmet dining at night.

At a Glance

This multi award-winning walk is the perfect way to escape the crowds and explore one of the most stunning areas of Tasmania

The wildlife is spectacular and abundant - you should see Tasmanian kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and echidnas

Set on a world heritage, national park just off the east coast of Tasmania, this gentle four day walk combines rare Tasmanian wildlife, spectacular scenery, and fascinating history

Maria Island Walk guides are recognised as amongst the best in the industry and know the island inside out

Small groups with two friendly guides explore the island by day and then enjoy gourmet, candlelit dining in elegant accommodation each night

Adventure, Couples, Family, Eco/ethical tourism

Insider's View

The Maria Island Walk is committed to the environment, and actively supports a variety of conservation programs such as Forty Spotted Pardalote Recovery program and the Save the Tasmanian Devil program, amongst others.

Scott Dunn team

Meet our specialists

Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your vacation to Maria Island Walk or take a look at our itineraries to Tasmania

Description

Maria Island National Park lies just a few kilometers off Tasmania’s east coast, within easy reach of Hobart. On the Maria Island Walk, you’ll explore a heritage listed convict settlement, walk empty white-sand beaches, view rare wildlife, and enjoy gourmet food, all in the confines of a national park.

The Maria Island Walk is an active, but pampered, vacation experience, designed to let you experience the remoteness and tranquillity of a wilderness experience in comfort. This is a soft adventure, where the packs are light, the food is gourmet, the wine is Tasmania’s best, and a comfortable bed awaits you each night.

Walking groups have a maximum of eight guests with two professional guides. This ratio affords the personalized, intimate experience that the walk has become so well known for. Unlike other, more challenging wilderness hikes, this walk is not terribly demanding; you don’t need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy this walk.

At the end of each day, you’ll retire for the evening in one of two secluded wilderness camps, both a stone’s throw from empty, white-sand beaches. These beaches are the perfect place to unwind with a glass of wine, enjoy a barefoot stroll exploring for rare shells, or a swim in the clear waters.

On the final night, you’ll stay overnight in a heritage house in Darlington, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled on the northern tip of the island. Once a bustling penal settlement with over 600 convicts, Darlington is now home to a medley of well-preserved, historical buildings.

The four day/three night walk departs Hobart daily (subject to demand) from the start of October until the end of April and cater to a maximum of ten guests and two guides.

Accommodation

To enjoy every minute of your four days, a good night's sleep is essential. The two wilderness camps are situated amongst beautiful bush and only a stone's throw from the beach. With the sounds of the bush and a warm comfortable bed, a good night’s sleep is assured. On the last night you will enjoy an authentic colonial experience, staying in the beautifully restored and heritage listed home of Diego Bernacchi.

On nights 1 and 2, Casuarina Beach Camp and White Gums Camp each provide comfortable and well-designed twin-share accommodation in environmentally sensitive standing camps built on wooden platforms with canvas walls. Raised beds with mattresses, pillows and sleeping bags are provided at each camp.

Due to the limited supply of fresh water there are no showers at the camps on nights 1 and 2, however guests are able to use a shared washroom to freshen up if they choose not to have a dip in the clear blue waters surrounding Maria. Guests also share a very modern composting toilet – one of the most commended parts of the walk, guests are often delighted by the design.

On the final night, guests stay in the authentically restored colonial Bernacchi House, where hot showers, fresh linen, power, warm fires, an absorbing library and a much loved piano await.

Childcare

The walk is on beaches and formed tracks and is suited to active adults and children over the age of 10. Please note that you are required to carry a pack containing all of your own personal gear throughout the walk, so this will need to be taken into consideration when deciding on the suitability of this walk for your children.

Facilities

Each evening you will sit down to a candlelit dinner and enjoy a gourmet meal of fresh local produce, expertly prepared by your guides, complemented by some of Tasmania’s finest wines.

Location & Directions

Maria Island, Tasmania, Australia

Accessed from Hobart, where you will need to spend one night prior to the walk, as you will depart with your guide first thing in the morning.

When to go

Maria Island National Park has a mild, temperate climate. Day time walking temperatures average mid 20 degrees. But the weather is prone to change at short notice, and thus we recommend you come prepared for all temperatures and conditions at all times.

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